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Associated Press
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Aaron Glenn was wide awake at 3:30 a.m., ready to begin the process of making Jets' 'pain' go away
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Glenn woke up at 3:30 on the morning of his first training camp practice as the New York Jets ' head coach and couldn't fall back asleep. A text message sent from his wife an hour earlier had a familiar message: 'Just be A.G.' 'And that's who I'm going to be,' a smiling Glenn said after a light practice Wednesday. 'Right, wrong or indifferent, nothing's going to change about how I operate, nothing's going to change about the way that I think. 'But, man, I was excited.' And he has been wide awake since. 'This is something,' he said, 'that I've been waiting on for a long time.' Glenn, who turned 53 last Tuesday, was hired by the Jets in January in a return to the franchise with which he was a star cornerback for the first eight seasons of his 15-year NFL playing career. Thirty-one years after being a rookie player in Jets camp, the longtime assistant coach is now tasked with trying to turn around the fortunes of a franchise that hasn't made the playoffs in 14 seasons, the league's longest active drought. 'Listen, I know the pain,' Glenn said. 'I know all the things that the fans have been through and I know all the things you guys have been through. I might have been gone from here, but I've never been gone in spirit, so I get it. That sticks with me a ton. 'I'm just telling you guys that now, I understand the pain and I'm hoping, I'm praying and I expect to make sure that pain goes away. I think about that every day.' Glenn's most recent coaching gig was overseeing a defense that helped the Detroit Lions rise to one of the NFL's best teams under Dan Campbell. He played for Bill Parcells and coached for Sean Payton and kept meticulous notes, building his own foundation for how he'd do things if and when he ever got the chance to do so. Glenn has focused on changing the culture around the facility. It's an often overused term in football, but after all the losing for so long, the Jets sorely needed it. When he gathered his team Tuesday after the players officially reported for camp, Glenn told them it's a 'one-day mentality' with the knowledge that the Super Bowl is always the ultimate goal. But it starts with the work that's being put in during the hot, muggy days of the next several weeks. 'I've been coached by one of the greatest coaches of all time and I kind of know how it looks and know how it feels when it comes down to being around people who can take me and a team to the highest level,' said defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who played for Nick Saban at Alabama. 'And (Glenn) got every aspect in him. He's got every quote. 'The way he carries himself, I know he's going to be one of the greatest coaches in this league.' That's high praise, but Williams isn't alone. The fact that Glenn was once a star player — he made three Pro Bowls and was selected to the Jets' all-time four-decade team in 2003 — carries a lot of weight with the men he's now leading as a coach. 'For me, it was just getting in front of him, meeting him,' fourth-year wide receiver Garrett Wilson said. 'He's done this thing, he's played at a high level. He's been a Jet before, which for me is like, it's huge, man. ... He can relate. 'And then not to mention, he's seen the blueprint for what it means to take a team that hasn't had much success and turn them into a top of the league, premier team, right? He's seen the blueprint twice or three times. So for me, that's really all I needed to hear.' Glenn and his Jets just need to manifest it all on the field, particularly when they start their season on Sept. 7 at home against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. And maybe Glenn will find some time to sleep before then. 'We have this whole day where we have things we need to get done,' he said. 'So I'm looking forward to every part of every minute of every hour of what we have going on today because it's a day of teaching. And I want to make sure I go through that the right way.' ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Lions' Defensive Starter Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery
Injuries were a major factor in the Detroit Lions' season last year. While it's hard to take issue with how the regular season resulted in a 15-2 record and the first seed in the NFC Playoff hunt, it became clear that the Lions were too decimated on defense to stop a fast-paced Washington Commanders team led by superstar Offensive Rookie of the Year winner Jayden Daniels. With stars like Aidan Hutchinson sidelined for the playoffs, fans can't help but wonder how much further the Lions could have gotten. Unfortunately, the 2025-26 season is set to kick off with a similar tune as last season in Detroit. According to Lions head coach Dan Campbell, starting defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike had to have a 'significant' season-ending surgery involving an ACL tear. While he will be missed, Campbell admitted, 'It needed to be done.' Onwuzurike suited up for 16 games last season, where he made 10 starts. He was a key part of a Lions defense that allowed the seventh-fewest points per game last year. While Onwuzurike may be a big loss, the Lions did select defensive tackle Tyleik Williams in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and now he should see an even bigger role as a rookie than many anticipated. Related: Related Headlines Why Baltimore Orioles' Adley Rutschman May Face an Uncertain Future with Team Report: 2 'Strong Candidates' Revealed to Become Atlanta Braves Manager in 2026 Report: Texas Rangers Could Trade Coveted All-Star Player By Next Week New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers Interested in Trade for Gold Glover
USA Today
20-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens WR Zay Flowers needs touches to remain untouchable
Baltimore Ravens WR Flowers needs his touches, and OC Todd Monken must make his targets meaningful. Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is the best of the bunch on the team roster, and it's not even debatable. Still, with the addition of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and the emergence of Rashod Bateman, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken must be sure not to shy away from targeting Flowers as the primary in the passing game. With so many weapons on offense, including a dual-threat rushing attack in quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, it will be vital to draw a line of demarcation early on. Probabilities and the opponent's strategy, of course, will play a part in how Monken can distribute the football. However, Flowers, having sadly missed the 2025 NFL Playoffs with a knee injury, still finished the season with a 14.3 yards per catch average. Proving himself to be a key element in Jackson's incredible total passing yard totals last season. Big plays of 20-plus yards, including those as a result of yards after catch, have allowed Flowers to pose as a serious threat to opponents. Ravens' opponents know that they must account for the run, so Monken needs to commit to the run while keeping Flowers targeted in moderation. Ultimately, Monken needs to shy away from four-wide receiver sets and prioritize by allowing Flowers to operate as both a slot and sole Z (boundary side) wide receiver, where he can operate in space. Flowers needs his touches, and Monken must make his targets in the offensive attack meaningful.
Newsweek
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
LA Rams Star Has Message for Eagles' Saquon Barkley
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Not many teams could slow down the Philadelphia Eagles' run game in 2024. Saquon Barkley was simply unstoppable for most of the year. The Los Angeles Rams found out firsthand not once, but twice. After the second meeting, which occurred during the Divisional Round in the 2024 NFL Playoffs, the Rams are extremely motivated to get another shot at the Eagles early on during the 2025 NFL season. The former third-round pick, Kobie Turner, recently revealed that the matchup against the Eagles is currently circled on the Rams' calendar for next season. It's not even training camp, and the Rams' defensive front is already placing focus on Barkley and the Eagles. "We're always training. I've had that loss in the back of my mind for a while," Turner told NFL Network. From The Insiders on @nflnetwork: As the #Eagles get their rings, #Rams DL Kobie Turner tips his cap. But of the Week 3 rematch: 'Man, we definitely have that game circled. I have that game circled. And I'm super excited to get another crack at those guys.' — Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 19, 2025 "I definitely have, I believe it is Week 3, circled. Even in the individual training right now, we're breaking down, 'Ok, this is how some of the guys, some of the offensive linemen for the Eagles, this is how they block, and this is how we're going to defeat that.' Ultimately, the thing that really got us last year is that there are a couple of big runs." Barkley is a home-run hitter. Once he got behind the Eagles' offensive line, which has been regarded as one of the best for years, the veteran running back hit an entirely different level. The Rams fell victim to quite a few home runs against the superstar rusher. Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Inglewood, their regular-season battle back in November, Barkley broke off a 70-yard touchdown run during the third quarter. He went for a 72-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter as well, to put the game way further out of reach. Barkley finished with 255 yards on 26 carries in the 37-20 Eagles victory. When the Rams and the Eagles met in the playoffs, Barkley followed up a 44-yard Jalen Hurts touchdown run with a 62-yarder for himself in the first quarter. Later in the game, Barkley had one of his most impactful runs of the year. Dashing through the snow, Barkley busted out a 78-yard touchdown to nearly ice the game. While the Eagles certainly allowed for the Rams to make it interesting, Philly ultimately won and advanced. Barkley finished with another 205 yards on 26 carries. "We stopped the run for the most part and handled it really well, but a couple of those runs where Saquon is able to get to the second level fast and he's super dangerous there," Turner added. "At the end of the day, it's about getting Saquon down, and that's what we're going to do a lot better of this year, making sure we stop the run. You guys saw what happened when it gets to third and long situations—second and long situations—guys come to life." Being the Super Bowl Champions, the Eagles made a lot of enemies in 2024. Since the Eagles defeated the Rams twice, it doesn't come as a surprise that Turner and the Rams can't wait to wipe the slate clean and go for revenge. "I'm just super excited to be able to run that back. Obviously, those guys are Super Bowl champs. They won it, and they deserve it, and whatnot, but this year is a new year," he finished. "Man, we definitely have that game circled. I definitely have that game circled, and I'm super excited to get another crack at those guys The Eagles and the Rams will meet in Philadelphia on September 21. For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Face Harsh 'Nobody Cares' Attitude Until Playoffs Arrive
Bills Face Harsh 'Nobody Cares' Attitude Until Playoffs Arrive originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills are one of only a handful of teams many believe are genuinely capable of winning the Super Bowl this upcoming season. Advertisement But some pitfalls come with that. Given how well the team has performed in the regular season, winning at least 10+ games every year for the past six years, only to fall in the playoffs, they haven't capitalized on their chances. And for analyst Louis Riddick, when looking at the Bills' chances in 2025, nothing the franchise does in the regular season means anything; it's when the playoffs roll around that we can judge them. "Nobody cares what you do in the regular season in Buffalo, nobody cares," Riddick said on ESPN's GetUp. "Of course they're going to have a great regular season, they're one of the most well-coached teams in the NFL, primary players on offense and defense, but it doesn't matter. It's when you get to the playoffs, now what are you going to do?" Advertisement (Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images) Is that harsh? We don't think so, and Riddick also had Baltimore in the same conversation. Both teams have shown how clinical and explosive they can be in the regular season; the offense can put up big numbers, the defense can stifle, but in the biggest moments in the postseason, they come unstuck. So, while yes, the numbers in the regular season for Allen and Co. are great, they haven't translated into anything substantial when it matters, and that's the problem. As Riddick says, no one cares what Buffalo does in the regular season; it could go 17-0, and it won't matter because of all the playoff failures that franchise has had. Advertisement And that is a tough spot to be in, but it's one the Bills have put themselves in due to the consistent playoff losses. Related: Is Bills' James Cook A Top 10 Running Back In 2025? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
